The government provides financial incentives to landowners for planting native species for water quality and wildlife habitat!

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1) Fairfax county offers seedlings of native shrubs and trees at a low-cost for Northern Virginia residents.

“The 2013 Shrub and Small Tree Package features 10 seedlings for $15.95. The Tree Package includes 6 seedlings sold for $10.95. A full, nonrefundable payment must accompany your order by Monday, April 22, 2013, or until supplies run out. You will receive a confirmation receipt and a map to the pickup site (in Fairfax County). Orders may be picked up on Friday, April 26, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., or Saturday, April 27, 9:00 a.m.-noon.”

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/seedlingsale.htm

2) Virginia state and the federal government offer reimbursement to landowners with agricultural lands that plant native plants in riparian areas along streams and on wetlands.

The plants on the land surrounding any water is critical to the quality of that water. Native plants on the land can serve to filter water, hold soil in place and attract wildlife essential to the ecosystem health.

There are two programs that reimburse landowners for planting native plants: the Conservation Research Enhancement Program (CREP) and Conservation Easements. They are aimed at landowners that have agricultural crop lands.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

“[Virginia] state will reimburse up to 25 percent of restored buffer or wetland, of conservation practice costs deemed eligible by your Farm Service office. There is also a 25 percent state income tax credit for out-of-pocket expenses, thus further reducing the landowner’s cost. [Additionally] federal reimbursement is made through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for up to 50 percent of a participant’s eligible expenses for implementing best management (BMP)”

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/stormwater_management/crep.shtml

Conservation Easements

“A CREP easement is a permanent conservation easement on an agricultural riparian buffer…The CREP easement is enforced through a legal document made between a landowner and [the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation], which pays the landowner $1,000 an acre for the easement.”

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/stormwater_management/crepease.shtml

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